HB 130-JAY HAMMOND DAY  8:04:27 AM CHAIR LYNN announced that the first order of business was HOUSE BILL NO. 130, "An Act establishing July 21 each year as Jay Hammond Day." 8:04:44 AM REPRESENTATIVE PAUL SEATON, Alaska State Legislature, as sponsor, presented HB 130. He began as follows: Jay Hammond had an adventurous life and career as a United States Marine Corps [fighter] pilot, a bush pilot, homesteader, predator control agent, fisherman, state legislature, borough mayor, borough manager, and [serving] two terms as Alaska's governor in what could be described as the ... era that formed modern Alaska. From his conception of a Bristol Bay Incorporated fund, as a way to share Bristol Bay Fisheries revenue with local residents, to his leadership in creating the Alaska Permanent Fund and Permanent Fund Dividend, Jay Hammond had at [the] heart of his politics the idea that Alaskans should embrace the ownership of their lands, ... that they should hold the conservation of their common resources in the highest regard, and that they should take the long view, looking generations ahead in their decision-making. 8:06:12 AM REPRESENTATIVE SEATON stated that Governor Hammond presided over the state during a time of tremendous growth, including the construction of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS), the first development of Alaska's North Slope Oil resources, and the creation of the Alaska Permanent Fund; he worked for a diversified Alaskan economy by promoting healthy fisheries and conservation of land and agriculture. Following his terms in office, Governor Hammond consistently advocated for conservation, protection of the Alaska Permanent Fund and its dividend. Following his career in public office, Governor Hammond continued his involvement in the following organizations: the Alaska Humanities Forum, the North Pacific Fisheries Convention Advisory Committee, the Alaska Land Use Council, the Alaska Airmen's Association, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the National Rifle Association. Governor Hammond was named Alaskan of the Year in 1994, was awarded the University of Alaska metal, and HB 130 would name July 21, the date of his birth, Jay Hammond Day, in honor of Governor Hammond's contributions and legacy to the state. REPRESENTATIVE SEATON reminded the committee that in 2012, Governor Sean Parnell name July 21 of that year as Jay Hammond Day; however, the governor is limited to naming a day after someone for one year only. The proposed legislation would make the distinction an annual event. 8:08:31 AM REPRESENTATIVE SEATON presented a slide show depicting Jay Hammond, courtesy of the Alaska State Library. [A hard copy of the images from the slide show is included in the committee packet.] 8:11:49 AM CHAIR LYNN shared that the first time he met Governor Hammond, he and Governor Hickel were giving a presentation in Anchorage, and he said he felt like he was watching living history. He related a time at a grocery store when Governor Hammond initiated a 20-minute conversation related to the affairs of the state, and another time when he conversed with Governor Hammond in a shopping mall. He characterized Governor Hammond as a "very friendly fellow," said it was an honor to talk with him those couple instances, and expressed happiness that HB 130 is being introduced. 8:13:35 AM REPRESENTATIVE HUGHES asked the bill sponsor what prompted him to bring the bill forward. 8:13:45 AM REPRESENTATIVE SEATON answered that Jim Reardon, a constituent in Homer who worked with Governor Hammond, thought that Governor Hammond's hand in molding the state and his connection with issues still being addressed was important. Representative Seaton said he thinks most people agree that the conversion of the permanent fund into a permanent structure for future generations was a good idea. 8:16:52 AM ARLIS STURGULEWSKI testified that it was her privilege to serve [as state Senator] in 1979, during Governor Hammond's last term, which was the time TAPS was being completed and much wealth was coming to the state. She relayed that she met Governor Hammond through her friend, Lee McInerney (ph), who was appointed by Governor Hammond as the head of the [former] Department of Community and Regional Affairs. She said both Ms. MacInerny and Governor Hammond had been mayors in Alaska communities and loved rural and coastal Alaska. She said the influx of wealth in the state took "a great deal of wisdom and humor" to set up structures that made sense. She mentioned Hugh Malone, who helped work on the Alaska Permanent Fund. Senator Sturgulewski said Governor Hammond had common sense and charm, and some people accused him of using "a maximum of doggerel." She said, "He could cut to the heart of an issue with a quip and was able to forge alliances with people of quite different views." She emphasized her support of [HB 130]. 8:20:38 AM BILL HUDSON relayed that he served as director of the Alaska Marine Highway System under Governor Hammond in 1974, and as governor-appointed commissioner of the Department of Administration during Governor Hammond's second term. He indicated that during his seven terms as Representative in the Alaska State Legislature House, he got to know Governor Hammond. He talked about the support that Governor Hammond received from his wife, Bella, and described the pair as "a couple of great magnitude in the state of Alaska." MR. HUDSON stated his belief that singling out someone to be honored on a particular day in Alaska "has to be something special." He suggested that Governor Hammond was unique in any state of the Union, in that he was a frontiersman and a "simple man with genius mind." Mr. Hudson recalled events during which he heard Governor Hammond tell stories. He described photographs of Governor Hammond: one in which he seemed to be hanging from his heels in an upside-down airplane; another where Governor Hammond was exiting one side of the cockpit of a plane and a bear cub was exiting out the other side. 8:23:47 AM MR. HUDSON said Governor Hammond loved Alaska so much that he would never allow it to be harmed. He described him as a conservationist, who believed that the natural assets of the state could be used, provided they were paid for, cared for, and left in as good or better condition as at the start. Mr. Hudson said he heard lively discussions regarding how to distribute the assets that would be gained after building the pipeline, with suggestions ranging from giving Alaskans free air transportation to free college education, and he offered his understanding that it was Governor Hammond who suggested letting the people have their share of the money and decide for themselves how they want to use it. MR. HUDSON stated that Governor Hammond loved the people of Alaska. He said Governor Hammond often relayed a story of landing his plane at the Wasilla airport, and the person who came out to set the chocks looked at him and asked, "Didn't you used to be somebody?" He said, "Jay always thought that ... maybe was the height of his recognition because somebody thought he 'used to be somebody.'" Mr. Hudson said Governor Hammond loved all of the "far-flung" places in Alaska and to break bread with people in the villages. 8:26:21 AM REPRESENTATIVE HUDSON encouraged committee members to support the proposed legislation. He stated that the highlight of his over 30 years in government was his experience with Governor Hammond, because he was such a unique individual. 8:27:32 AM CHAIR LYNN said his impression of Governor Hammond, after short exposure to him, was that he was a unique and memorable individual. 8:27:49 AM REPRESENTATIVE ISAACSON recollected a time he called Governor Hammond, who spoke with him, even though he did not know him. He suggested that the Permanent Fund Dividend program may have disconnected Alaskans from "inventiveness." He said he is curious if Governor Hammond would want to be memorialized in this manner. He further questioned whether memorializing Governor Hammond might prevent anyone from talking about the pros and cons of his policies. 8:30:15 AM REPRESENTATIVE HUDSON surmised that if Governor Hammond was alive and someone approached him with the idea of memorializing him, he would laugh, because he was a humble man. However, he stated his belief that Governor Hammond's greatness was so exceptional that it is perfect to set up a special day where, hopefully, families can get together and eat lots of ice cream, like Governor Hammond liked to do. He said this special day is being set up for the people of Alaska, just like the day to honor Ted Stevens was established. 8:32:16 AM REPRESENTATIVE KELLER thanked Mr. Hudson for his past service, including a program he initiated called, "Kids Don't Float." 8:32:45 AM CHAIR LYNN, after ascertaining that there was no one else who wished to testify, closed public testimony. 8:33:00 AM REPRESENTATIVE KELLER moved to report HB 130 out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, HB 130 was reported out of the House State Affairs Standing Committee.